The NFL’s Arena Football League Fiasco
As I sat down to write this article, I couldn’t help but think of the old adage “all that glitters is not gold.” The NFL’s recent foray into broadcasting Arena Football League games on their network seemed like a great idea at the time. After all, who wouldn’t want to watch high-scoring, fast-paced football games in the comfort of their own home? But, as it often does, reality has a way of setting in.
The Week 1 games were scrapped, and now it seems that the Week 2 games have disappeared from the NFL Network listings as well. A game scheduled for Thursday, May 9, has also vanished into thin air. It’s a bad look for the NFL, especially at a time when it feels like the NFL Network is being stripped down in preparation of being sold for parts.
“It’s a bad look for the NFL by association.”
I couldn’t agree more. The NFL’s decision to partner with the Arena Football League seemed like a great way to bring more football to the masses. But now, it seems like the NFL is trying to distance itself from the AFL. The question on everyone’s mind is, what happened?
The NFL Network logo
As I dug deeper, I realized that the NFL Network didn’t respond to an email sent earlier this week seeking clarification on the relationship between the NFL and the AFL. It’s a strange move, especially considering the NFL’s history of being transparent with their fans.
The AFL, on the other hand, seems to be operating like a CSO (College Sports Organization). It’s a far cry from the high-flying, action-packed games we were promised. Instead, we’re left with a bunch of cancelled games and more questions than answers.
Arena Football League action
As I reflect on the whole ordeal, I’m left wondering what could have been. The NFL had a chance to bring something new and exciting to their network, but instead, they’ve ended up with a mess on their hands. It’s a shame, really. The AFL had the potential to be something special, but now it’s just a footnote in the NFL’s history books.
The NFL Shield
In the end, it’s a bad look for the NFL, and it’s a shame that the AFL got caught in the crossfire. Here’s to hoping that the NFL can learn from their mistakes and bring us something better in the future.
